The Top 10 Most Fascinating Crowdfunded 3D Printing Projects

The world of 3D printing has seen numerous innovative and sometimes wild crowdfunded projects that capture the imagination.

Here are some of the most creative and intriguing 3D printing crowdfunded ideas:

3D Printed Houses:

Initiatives like ICON and New Story charity pushed the boundaries by crowdfunding projects aimed at building affordable, durable 3D-printed homes. Their goal was to tackle homelessness and housing crises in underprivileged areas by using 3D printing technology to significantly reduce construction time and costs.

OLO - The First Ever Smartphone 3D Printer:

This project promised to turn any smartphone into a 3D printer using the light from the phone screen to polymerize a liquid resin. It was wildly popular on Kickstarter and tapped into the potential for portable, accessible 3D printing.

Pirate 3D's Buccaneer 3D Printer:

Aimed at bringing 3D printing to every home with its highly affordable and user-friendly design. The Buccaneer made headlines for its sleek design and ease of use, although it eventually faced significant delivery challenges.

4D Printing - Self-Assembling Structures:

This concept takes 3D printing into the fourth dimension—time. Funded by research grants rather than traditional crowdfunding, these projects explore materials that can change shape or self-assemble over time when exposed to external stimuli like heat or water.

The 3Doodler:

Dubbed the world's first 3D printing pen, this device allows users to draw in the air with plastic that hardens almost instantly. It became a sensation on Kickstarter and opened up 3D printing technology to a much broader audience, including artists and educators.

BioPen:

A project that aimed to revolutionize medical science, the BioPen allows doctors to 'draw' cells onto wound sites. It uses a special ink made of living cells, which can help regenerate damaged tissues, speeding up the healing process.

Foodini - A 3D Food Printer:

One of the first to venture into 3D printed food, Foodini focuses on printing edible products in various shapes and ingredients, aiming to inspire creativity in the kitchen with healthy eating.

The Micro:

The First Truly Consumer 3D Printer: Aimed at making 3D printing as easy and accessible as using a regular printer, The Micro was designed to be affordable, compact, and super easy to use for beginners.

Glowforge - The 3D Laser Printer:

Though technically a laser cutter, Glowforge was marketed as a '3D laser printer', capable of cutting, engraving, and shaping various materials into high-quality products, which brought a new dimension to creative project possibilities.

3D Print Your Own Clothes:

Projects like Electroloom aimed to develop a machine that could 3D print fabric items directly from raw materials, allowing users to design and create their own clothing at home. These projects not only highlight the versatility and potential of 3D printing technology but also showcase the community's enthusiasm for pushing the limits of what can be achieved through innovative thinking and crowdfunding support.